GK: Iker Casillas (spain): It may take more than cryptography on the creative side, or brute power on the physical side to break the Casillas code. The 'Real' goal-keeper may have been put to sweat in just one match, but that was more than ample demo of this keeper's value. After successfully frustrating the imposing Luca Toni (who has had negative fortunes this euro), he blocked penalty kicks from Daniele De Rossi and Di Natale, to propel Spain to the Semi-Finals where he was rarely tested. Casillas ended up having an easy outing in the finals, doing his simple routine of punching away Schweinsteigers free-kicks and other set-pieces. And he's the EURO2008 winning captain. What more is needed?
LB:Phillip Lahm (Germany): Lahm has been terriffic along the flanks and always involved in every attack, cutting in every now and then, backing up for creating attacks out of clearances and preventing counter-attacks. Lahm scored a very beautiffully orchestrated decisive goal in the quarter-finals vs Turkey. His final outing turned out to be a mis-adventure after Fernando Torres got the better of him and Metzelder to score the only goal. He gave way to Jansen in the second half.
CB: Pepe (Portugal): One of the untiring defenders, another from Real, who runs the entire length of the field and breaks forward in attack in a jiffy as he showed when scoring Portugal's first goal of Euro08. He is equally dangerous in set pieces, and could have had a goal or 2 more from corner kicks.
CB: Christian Panucci (Italy): Without him Italy could've been out in group stages. Besides his equaliser to Adrian Mutu's goal for Romania, he joined fellow Azzuri defenders in effectively blocking Buffon's territory from the French.
RB: Sergio Ramos: (Spain): Ramos has been another one of those exciting wingers who have gone forward to actively work with either Silva or Iniesta, tricking and stepping the defense putting in dangerous low crosses for Villa and co. His prior duty which is defense has also been done to perfection by him working against Camoranesi, Del Piero and then against Podolski in the final. He won the ball when needed preventing wide runs develop to crosses into the box on numerous occassions, ably assisted by Puyol most of the time.
CDM: Marcos Senna (Spain): Well I am confused what to write about a holding-mid. Senna was the silent watch-guard for the Champions. Holding midfielders have their work cut out. To try and win possession back and keep the playmakers and goal scorers at bay, take advantage of ineffective clearances and also joining in with the defense when things look dangerous. He may not have been at the mix of things in the attack as were Xavi, Iniesta or Fabregas, but then by 'Holding' back Senna did his duty to the full.
LM: Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands): Sneijder's goal against Italy is rated as the best in terms of build-up in this Euro. It was the highest quality of football seen in the tournament where he combined beautifully with Van Bronkhorst. In the next match, Sneijder addd more agony to an already 1-3 down France with a thunder from outside the penalty box in he 91st minute. And without Sneijder's accurately directed free kick, the dutch would have lost the quarter finals within 90 minutes. Yet another 'Real' star.
RM: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany): I'll call him BS due to his long name. BS had an interesting start to EURO after coming on as a sub and getting sent off. But there he came back to the starting eleven in the QFs against Portugal. Clearly the more commanding of the number 7s of both sides. BS opened the German account to slide in a low cross from the left by Podolski. He then delivered incisive free kicks from the left to help Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack to their goals. It was almost a one man show by BS that day as Portugal had put in 2 goals. In the SFs, after Turkey drew first blood, it was BS's deflection to the far post that got the Germans on their way. BS would have hoped for a better impact in the Finals, but he did enough to be in the Diego Maradona's dream team ( and mine too).
LF: Andrei Arshavin (Russia): Arshavin missed the first rout against Spain, and the victory against Greece due to suspension. From there on he was the talk of the tournament. After scoring and providing against Sweden to push Russia to the QFs, Arshavin orchestrated and gave a terrorizing time to the dutch (who were supposed to terrorize Russia, after bashing Italy and France) defence by moving forward cleverly and setting up Russia's 2nd goal and scoring the 3rd, both in extra time, and preventing penalties that would've ended Russia's run a game earlier. No wonder big clubs are fretting for him. And we shall wish him best to realize his dream move to a Spanish club.
CF: David Villa (Spain): The top scorer of EURO08 has to be in this team. The only hat-trick scorer of EURO08 in a 4-1 demolition of Russia. And a vital goal against Sweden in the 91st minute helped Spain to be the champions that have won all their matches. Italy managed to suppress him. Unfortunately, a calf injury put him out of most of the SF against Russia (would he have scored another couple of goals there??) and also the final. But still he's is the top-scorer.
RF: Semih Senturk(Turkey): When there is a goal needed, there is Semih. Late heart-breaking goals have been the theme of Semih and turkey. Czezh lead 1-0, Semih comes on as sub and equalises before Nihat fires 2. In the quarter finals, Croatia lead 1-0 in the 119th minute thanks to Klasnic. But Semih equalises in 121st minute to force the penalties which Turkey win. In the Semi(h)-finals, Germany lead 2-1 80th minute for Semih to equalise in 82nd minute (ouch! Lahm scored one more for Germany, but where did Semih go??? but thats too much to expect!!!).
So what about the rest of the team?? Manager - obviously Guus Hiddink. He did it with the South Koreans. And Russia were made brilliant. Anyone else could have lost control after losing their 1st game 4-1.
Substitutes:
1. Cesc Fabregas (Spain): The great substitute. He came on to replace injured Villa in the all important SF, and produced the same effect without scoring as did Villa in the group match against the same opponents.
2. Edwin Van Der Sar (Netherlands): The GK of a team that didnt get past the QF played a good part in even them getting there. There were too many spectacular saves on the way. Ribery (he was the only one doing something), Toni, and how can the saves he made to Kolodin's shots be ignored?
3. Lukas Podolski (Germany): Germany's highest scorer, besides being employed as a left mid.
4. Fabio Grosso (Italy): This Italian left back did his most to combine with the attack and create goals which didn't come much. But he still was one of the most actively running and puffing players on the field for the Azurris.
5.LF:Roman Pavlyuchenko (Russia): In Russia's dream run, Roman was Russia's dream boy, and Andrei Arshavin was his dream side-kick. Roman exhibited, beautiful control, good direction and some of the most deft touches for goal. His Goal against the Dutch is probably the most memorable purely on its importance and the way Russia were playing then. His first-round goal against Spain too should be given credit for beating this list's Goal-Keeper.
Substitutes:
1. Cesc Fabregas (Spain): The great substitute. He came on to replace injured Villa in the all important SF, and produced the same effect without scoring as did Villa in the group match against the same opponents.
2. Edwin Van Der Sar (Netherlands): The GK of a team that didnt get past the QF played a good part in even them getting there. There were too many spectacular saves on the way. Ribery (he was the only one doing something), Toni, and how can the saves he made to Kolodin's shots be ignored?
3. Lukas Podolski (Germany): Germany's highest scorer, besides being employed as a left mid.
4. Fabio Grosso (Italy): This Italian left back did his most to combine with the attack and create goals which didn't come much. But he still was one of the most actively running and puffing players on the field for the Azurris.
5.LF:Roman Pavlyuchenko (Russia): In Russia's dream run, Roman was Russia's dream boy, and Andrei Arshavin was his dream side-kick. Roman exhibited, beautiful control, good direction and some of the most deft touches for goal. His Goal against the Dutch is probably the most memorable purely on its importance and the way Russia were playing then. His first-round goal against Spain too should be given credit for beating this list's Goal-Keeper.
